SECURITY at Leighton Hospital in Crewe has been improved thanks to the installation of a £170,000 safety system.

The upgrade comes after an investigation was launched into security following an assault on a nurse in September.

The victim, described as a senior member of the nursing staff, was walking across the car park at 1.30am on September 11 when an out-patient receiving treatment for head injuries attacked her.

Using funds raised from car park charges, hospital chiefs have invested in digital CCTV cameras and high speed recording equipment, along with alarm buttons installed throughout the grounds.

The on-site security team has also been expanded, meaning a minimum of three guards will be on patrol around the clock.

Security management specialist Diane Chinn has defended the hospital's security record, saying incidents like the attack on the nurse were very few and far between.

She said: 'Leighton Hospital has a very good record on security, with a relatively low level of incidents.

'Despite this, the trust took the decision to invest some of the revenue generated by new car parking charges into site security.

'That is good news for patients and visitors, as well as staff, who can all be reassured that a member of our highly trained security team is just moments away at all times of the day or night.'

Security staff will continue to work closely with officers from Cheshire police, who have a base on site and have previously taken charge of night security between the hours of 9pm and 7am.

A report commissioned by Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, the body in charge of Leighton Hospital, recommended 24-hour patrols by security guards as a means of preventing further assaults like that in September.

The latest investment complements an overhaul of security at the hospital, which to date has seen staff trained in conflict resolution techniques and a computer-controlled entry system installed at the new treatment centre.